8-alkylaminoimidazo(1,2-a)pyrazines and derivatives, their preparation and their application in therapy

ABSTRACT

##STR1## Novel 8-alkylamino-imidazo(1,2-a)pyrazines of formula (I) show advantages pharmacological activities. They can be used for medical products in human and veterinary therapy in the field of applications of antispasmodics, uterine relaxants, bronchodilators, cardiac analeptics and neurosedatives.

The present invention relates to 8-alkylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines and their derivatives, their preparation and their therapeutic application in human or veterinary medicine in the field of antispasmodics, uterine relaxants, bronchodilators, cardiac analeptics and neurosedatives.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines possessing advantageous pharmacological activities have already been described in the literature, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,507,294, 4,483,858, 4,376,772 and 4,242,344, in British patent No. 2,132,203, in European patents Nos. 0,013,914, 0,113,236 and 0,154,494 and in various publications such as those produced by ABIGNENTE, E. et al. Eur. J. Med. Chemistry, 1985, p. 79-85, 20 and SABLAYROLLES C. et al. J. Med. Chem., 1984 p. 206-212, 27.

The present invention encompasses the compounds corresponding to the formula: ##STR2## as well as the corresponding salts which are compatible with pharmaceutical application.

In this formula (I):

Y and Z independently denote:

a) a hydrogen atom,

b) a halogen atom such as F, Cl, Br or I,

c) CO₂ H,

d) CN,

e) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical,

f) a C₁ -C₅ alkoxy radical,

g) CF₃ ##STR3## with R₃ and R₄ as defined below; . R₁ and R₂, when they are independent, denote,

a) a hydrogen atom,

b) a halogen atom, such as F, Cl, Br or I,

c) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical,

d) a radical --(CH₂)_(n) --CO₂ R₅, with R₅ denoting a C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical and n being from 0 to 4, ##STR4## with R₆ and R₇ independently denoting a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical or an aryl radical,

f) CN, ##STR5## h) NH₂, i) CH₂ Cl,

j) CH₂ OH,

k) CF₃, ##STR6## m) --NO₂, n) --NO,

o) a C₃ -C₆ cycloalkyl radical,

p) an acyl radical,

q) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkylthio radical;

R₁ and R₂, when they are linked to one another, denote --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --,

R₃ and R₄ independently denote:

a) a hydrogen atom

b) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical, capable of bearing one or more halogen atoms or a hydroxy, N(C₁ -C₄ alkyl)₂, carbamoyl or C₁ -C₄ alkoxy radical, either a C₃ -C₆ cycloalkyl radical or a phenyl radical,

c) a C₁ -C₅ acyl radical,

d) a furfuryl radical,

R₃ and R₄, linked to one another denote --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ or --CH₂ --CH₂ --X--CH₂ --CH₂ -- in which X denotes O or S.

The preferred compounds of the invention are those in which R₃ is a hydrogen atom, R₄ a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl radical, R₁ a hydrogen atom or an ethyl carboxylate group, Y and Z denote either a hydrogen atom or a bromine atom and R₂ denotes either a bromine atom or a hydrogen atom. Among these compounds, there may be mentioned more especially the compound in which R₃ ═H, R₄ ═CH₃, Y═H, Z═H, R₂ ═Br and R₁ ═H, the compound in which R₃ ═H, R₄ ═CH₃, Y═Br, Z═H, R₂ ═H, R₁ ═H and the compound in which R₃ ═H, R₄ ═H, Y═Br, Z═H, R₂ ═Br and R₁ ═H.

The salts that are compatible with pharmaceutical application are the salts resulting from the neutralization of the basic compounds corresponding to the formula (I) with an acid. The acids employed are either inorganic or organic acids. As examples of such inorganic acids, halogen hydracids, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid and hydriodic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and the like should be mentioned. As examples of organic acids, carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, pivalic acid, heptanoic acid, lauric acid, slaicylic acid, benzoic acid, glutamic acid, lactic acid, and the like and non-carboxylic acids such as isethionic acid and methane-sulfonic acid, should be mentioned. The salts of halogen hydracids, especially the hydrochlorides, the salts of maleic acid, especially the acid maleates, and the salts of methanesulfonic acid are preferred.

According to the invention, the compounds (I) may be prepared according to the reaction schemes 1 and 2 below, which employ known processes and which use known starting substances. The particular methods and the reaction sequences are derived from the specific nature of the substituents and their position.

One of the processes for producing the compounds (I) (scheme 1) consists in condensing a 2,3-diamino- or 3-alkylamino-2-aminopyrazine (II) containing the substituents Y and Z with an alpha-halocarbonyl compound (III). ##STR7##

Another process (scheme 2) for producing the compounds (I) consists in carrying out a substitution reaction starting with an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivative, according to a traditional method, for example by the action of ammonia, alkylamines or a nitrogenous heterocycle on a halogenated derivative. The halogenated derivative used can be either a derivative halogenated at the 8-position (compound IV), or a derivative halogenated at the 5-position (compound V), the substitution reaction in this case being accompanied by a change in the position of substitution (telesubstitution). In the compounds of the formulae (IV) and (V), X denotes a chlorine or bromine atom. ##STR8##

The halogenated derivatives (IV) possessing a halogen at the 8-position may in turn be obtained (scheme 3) from a substituted 2-amino-3-halopyrazine (VI) which is condensed with an alpha-halocarbonyl derivative (III). ##STR9##

Another method for obtaining a compound of general formula (IV) possessing a chlorine atom at the 8-position consists in treating an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine with sulfuryl chloride. There is thus obtained, for example, from ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate (VII), a mixture of ethyl trichloro- and 5,6,7,8 tetrachloroimidazo-[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate (VIII) (scheme 4), in which the chlorine at the 8-position is the atom which may be most readily substituted by an amine of type: ##STR10##

The halogenated derivatives possessing a halogen atom at the 5-position (compound V) may be obtained according to the above process (scheme 3), replacing the compound (VI) by the compound (VI') ##STR11## in which the halogen is, for example, a bromine atom, but also by direct halogenation (scheme 5) of a substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine possessing a hydrogen atom at the 5-position, using the usual reagents, for example bromine in ethanol or acetic acid, N-bromosuccinimide, and the like. ##STR12##

The 2-amino pyrazines (VI) and (VI'), the alphahalocarbonyl compounds (III) and the imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines (VII) and (X) employed in the production methods described above are commercial products or products prepared from common starting substances by traditional methods known to those versed in the art.

The groups R₁, R₂, Y and Z of the general formula (I) of the compounds of the invention are provided by the starting compounds (VI), (VI'), (II) and (III) or are obtained after condensation to the corresponding substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine. For example, nucleophilic substitution reactions are carried out starting out with derivatives halogenated at the 3-, 5- and 6-positions, using traditional nucleophilic reagents (CN⁻, X⁻, HNR₃ R₄, RO⁻, RS⁻, and the like); an ester group is converted to amide by the action of ammonia in concentrated aqueous solution, and then either to an amine by the action of sodium hypobromite or to a nitrile by dehydration using phosphorus oxytribromide. A chloromethyl group leads via the action of ammonia to an aminomethyl group, or via the action of an N-alkylamine to an N-alkylaminomethyl group.

In the same manner, different derivatives may be prepared from an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine by an electrophilic substitution reaction on the unsubstituted 3-position. A trifluoroalkylthio group is thereby obtained via the action of trifluoromethanesulfonylchloride and the sulfonamide derivative via the action of chlorosulfonic acid followed by thionyl chloride and an amine, such as methylamine, for example. Similarly, reaction of N-bromosuccinimide or N-chlorosuccinimide yields, respectively, the derivatives brominated or chlorinated at the 3-position. Perchloryl fluoride yields the derivative fluorinated at the 3-position. The action of nitrous acid prepared at the time of use or butyl nitrite gives the nitroso derivative. The nitro derivative results from the action of nitric acid in sulfuric medium.

The examples which follow are given by way of illustration and in no way imply limitation of the invention.

The analyses and the IR, NMR and MS spectra confirm the structure of the compounds.

EXAMPLE 1 3-Bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine Stage preparation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

A mixture of 34 g (0.2 mol) of bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, 6,6 ml of concentrated aqueous HBr solution and 28 ml of distilled water is brought to reflux for one hour. After reaction, the mixture is alkalinized and extracted with ether. This organic phase is added to a solution of 19 g (0.2 mol) of aminopyrazine in 50 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF). The ether is removed by distillation and the mixture is maintained with stirring and under a stream of nitrogen for 12 hours. After reaction, the DMF is distilled off; the reaction medium is dissolved in 150 ml of anhydrous ethanol, and then brought to reflux for one hour. The alcohol is then removed by distillation; the residue is dissolved in water, alkalinized with Na₂ CO₃ and extracted using dichloromethane. After chromatography on a neutral alumina column (eluant =anhydrous ether), 10.7 g (Yld=45%) of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 84° C.). are obtained.

Stage B: preparation of 3,5-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine.

A solution of 12 ml of bromine in 10 ml of acetic acid is added dropwise to a solution of 6 g (50.5 mmol) of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine in 70 ml of acetic acid. The solution brought to reflux for one and a half hours is then evaporated under vacuum. The residue is then dissolved in water, alkalinized with Na₂ CO₃ and extracted with dichloromethane. After chromatography on a neutral alumina column (eluant=anhydrous ether), 8,38 g (Yld=60%) of 3,5-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 150° C.) are obtained.

Stage C: preparation of 3-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine.

A mixture of 1 g (3,6 mmol) of 3,5-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine in 9 ml of a 40% strength aqueous methylamine solution is maintained with stirring for 12 hours. After evaporation under reduced pressure and chromatography on a silica column eluted with ether, 0.33 g (Yld=40%) of 3-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 139° C.) is obtained.

By replacing, in Example 1 above, stage C, methylamine by:

ammoniacal alcohol, 8-amino-3-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 239° C.) is obtained;

ethylamine, 3-bromo-4-ethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 82° C.) is obtained.

EXAMPLE 2 8-Morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine Stage A: preparation of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

This derivative is obtained according to a technique identical to that of Example 1, stage A, by replacing 2-aminopyrazine by 2-amino-3,5-dibromooyrazine. 10 g (39.5 mmol) of this compound yield 5.47 g (Yld=50%) of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 165° C.).

Stage B: preparation of 6-bromo-8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

A solution of 1 g (3,6 mol) of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine and 1 g (11.2 mmol) of morpholine in 15 ml of anhydrous ethanol is brought to reflux for 12 hours. After evaporation of the solvant and chromatography on an alumina column (eluant=CH₂ Cl₂), 0.88 g (Yld=85%) of 6-bromo 8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 191° C.) is obtained.

Stage C: preparation of 8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine.

200 mg of palladium on charcoal (10% palladium) are added to a solution containing 0.5 g (1.77 mmol) of 6-bromo-8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine for 120 ml of anhydrous methanol and 2 g of potassium hydroxide. The mixture is hydrogenated at atmospheric pressure for 12 hours. The solution is filtered, concentrated and taken up with water; after extraction with dichloromethane and evaporation of the solvent, 0.34 g (92%) of 8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 127° C.) is obtained.

By replacing, in Example 2 above, stage B, morpholine by the different amines referred to in Table I below, the corresponding substituted 6-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines, recorded in the same table, are obtained. Treatment of the products thereby obtained according to the process described in Example 2, stage C, yields the substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines referred to in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Amines  Results of stage B                                                                              Result of Stage C                                     ______________________________________                                         Ammonia-                                                                               8-amino-6-bromoimidazo-                                                                         8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]-                                cal alcohol                                                                            [1,2-a]pyrazine  pyrazine (m.p. 220° C.)                                (m.p. 210° C.)                                                  Methyl- 6-bromo-8-methylamino-                                                                          8-methylaminoimidazo-                                 amine   imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine                                                                          [1,2-a]pyrazine                                               (m.p. 162° C.)                                                                           (m.p. 96° C.)                                  Ethylamine                                                                             6-bromo-8-ethylamino-                                                                           8-ethylaminoimidazo-                                          imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine                                                                          [1,2-a]pyrazine                                               (m.p. 99° C.)                                                                            (m.p. 98° C.)                                  Furfuryl-                                                                              6-bromo-8-furfurlamino-                                                                         8-furfurylaminoimidazo-                               amine   imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine                                                                          [1,2-a]pyrazine                                               (m.p. 164° C.)                                                                           (m.p. = pasty)                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3 Ethyl 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-acetate Stage A: preparation of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methylaminopyrazine

1.55 g (50 mmol) of 40% strength aqueous methylamine solution is added to a solution of 2.53 g (10 mmol) of 3,5-dibromo-2-aminopyrazine in ethanol. The mixture is stirred in an autoclave at 130° C. for 17 hours. After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, the product is purified by chromatography on a silica column (eluant=CH₂ Cl₂, to which 3% of CH₃ OH has been added). 0.8 g (Yld=40%) of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methylaminopyrazine (m.p. 121° C.) is obtained.

Stage B: preparation of ethyl 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-acetate.

2.03 g (10 mmol) of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methylaminopyrazine are dissolved in 5 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF). A solution of 1.645 g(10 mmol) of ethyl (chloroacetyl)acetate in 5 ml of DMF is added dropwise with stirring. The mixture is maintained with stirring and under gentle reflux for 3 hours. The DMF is then evaporated off under reduced pressure and the residue, dissolved in 50 ml of anhydrous ethanol, is brought to reflux for one hour. After removal of the solvent, the residue is taken up with water, alkalinized and extracted with dichloromethane. After dehydration over anhydrous calcium chloride, the solvent is evaporated off under reduced pressure. The crude product is purified by chromatography on a silica column (eluant=dichloromethane to which 5% of methanol has been added). 0.4 g (Yld=30%) of ethyl 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-acetate (m.p. 104° C.) is obtained.

By replacing, in the Example 3 above, stage B, 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methylaminopyrazine by an equimolar amount of substituted 2-aminopyrazines and ethyl (chloroacetyl)acetate by ethyl bromopyruvate, the 8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivates appearing in Table II below are obtained.

For the final derivative listed in this Table II, only the replacement of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methylaminopyrazine by the substituted 2-aminopyrazine is necessary.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         Substituted 2-aminopyrazines:                                                                    8-Aminoimidazo[1,2-a]-                                                         pyrazine derivatives:                                        2,3-diaminopyrazine                                                                              ethyl 8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]-                                                   pyrazine-2-carboxylate                                                         (m.p. 230° C.).                                       2,3-diamino-5-bromopyrazine                                                                      ethyl 8-amino-6-bromoimid-                                                     azo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-car-                                                      boxylate (m.p. 245° C.).                              2-amino-3-methylaminopyrazine                                                                    ethyl 8-methylaminoimid-                                                       azo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-car-                                                      boxylate (m.p. 184° C.).                              2-amino-5-bromo-3-methyl-                                                                        ethyl 6-bromo-8-methylamino-                                 aminopyrazine     imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                      carboxylate (m.p. 234° C.).                           2-amino-5-bromo-3-ethyl-                                                                         ethyl 6-bromo-8-ethylamino-                                  aminopyrazine     imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                      carboxylate (m.p. 180° C.).                           2-amino-3-propylaminopyrazine                                                                    ethyl 8-propylaminoimidazo-                                                    [1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxy-                                                     late (m.p. 145° C.).                                  2-amino-5-bromo-3-propyl-                                                                        ethyl 6-bromo-8-propylamino-                                 aminopyrazine     imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                      carboxylate (m.p. 190° C.).                           2-amino-5-bromo-3-butyl-                                                                         ethyl 6-bromo-8-butylamino-                                  aminopyrazine     imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                      carboxylate (m.p. 176° C.).                           2-amino-5-bromo-3-sec-                                                                           ethyl 6-bromo-8-sec-butyl-                                   butylaminopyrazine                                                                               aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyra-                                                       zine-2-carboxylate (m.p.                                                       187° C.).                                             2-amino-3-piperidylpyrazine                                                                      ethyl 8-piperidylimidazo-                                                      [1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxy-                                                     late (m.p. 114° C.).                                  2-amino-5-bromo-3-piperidyl-                                                                     ethyl 6-bromo-8-piperidyl-                                   pyrazine          imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                      carboxylate (m.p. 134° C.).                           2-amino-3-morpholinylpyrazine                                                                    ethyl 8-morpholinylimid-                                                       azo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-car-                                                      boxylate (m.p. 155° C.).                              2-amino-5-bromo-3-morpho-                                                                        ethyl 6-bromo-8-morpholinyl-                                 linylpyrazine     imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                      carboxylate (m.p. 140° C.).                           2-amino-5-bromo-3-(2-hy-                                                                         ethyl 6-bromo-8-(2-hydroxy-                                  droxyethylamino)pyrazine                                                                         ethylamino)imidazo[1,2-a]-                                                     pyrazine-2-carboxylate                                                         (m.p. 208° C.).                                       2,3-diamino-5-bromopyrazine                                                                      ethyl 8-amino-6-bromoimi-                                                      dazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-                                                         acetate (m.p. 181° C.).                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4 5-Chloro-8-ethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine Stage A: preparation of 5,8-dichlorimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

This derivative is obtained according to a technique identical to that of Example 1, stage A, by replacing 2-aminopyrazine by 2-amino-3,6-dichloropyrazine. 2.4 grams (18.6 mmol) of this compound yield 1 g (Yld=37%) of 5,8-dichloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 102° C.).

Stage B: preparation of 8-ethylamino-5-chloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

A solution of 1.5 g (9.8 mmol) of 5,8-dichloroimidazo[ 1,2-a]pyrazine in 25 ml of a 40% strength aqueous ethylamine solution is maintained with stirring for 12 hours. After concentration under reduced pressure and chromatography on a silica column (eluant=ether), 5-chloro-8-ethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 94° C.), is obtained.

EXAMPLE 5 8-Amino-3,6-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine. Stage A: preparation of 3,6,8-tribromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

A solution of 0.8 g (2.9 mmol) of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine and 1.2 g of N-bromosuccinimide in 40 ml of chloroform is brought to reflux for two hours. After being cooled, the organic solution is treated with aqueous Na₂ CO₃ solution. The chloroform phase is collected and then evaporated. 1 g -(Yld=97%) of 3,6,8-tribromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 161° C.) is obtained.

Stage B: preparation of 8-amino-3,6-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

A solution of 1 g (2.8 mmol) of 3,6,8-tribromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine in 50 ml of ammoniacal alcohol heated to 120° C. for 5 hours in a 250-ml autoclave. After reaction and evaporation of the solvent, 0.8 g (Yld=98%) of 8-amino-3,6-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p.=246° C.) is obtained.

By replacing, in Example 5 above, stage B, ammoniacal alcohol by:

.methylamine, 3,6-dibromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 229° C.) is obtained;

or ethylamine, 3,6-dibromo-8-ethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 131° C.) is obtained;

or morpholine, 3,6-dibromo-8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 141° C.) is obtained;

or furfurylamine, 3,6-dibromo-8-furfurylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 143° C.) is obtained;

or piperidine, 3,6-dibromo-8-piperidylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 72° C.) is obtained.

EXAMPLE 6

6-Bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide.

A suspension of 0.470 g (1.57 mmol) of ethyl 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate, obtained according to the process described in Example 3, in 50 ml of concentrated aqueous ammonia solution, is brought to reflux for 4 hours. After the mixture is cooled, the precipitate is drained, washed and dried. 0.160 g (Yld=40%) of 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide (m.p. 312° C.) is obtained.

EXAMPLE 7 3,5,6-Trichloro-8-methylamino-N-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide Stage A: preparation of ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate

This derivative is obtained according to the technique described in Example 3, stage B, by reacting 2-aminopyrazine and ethyl bromopyruvate. Ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate (m.p. 179° C., Yld=25%) is obtained.

Stage B: preparation of ethyl 3,5,6,8-tetrachloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate

4 ml of sulfuryl chloride are added with stirring to a suspension of 0.720 g (3.77 mmol) of ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate in 10 ml of anhydrous benzene, and the mixture is then brought to reflux for one hour. The solvent is then evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue is poured onto ice, and then extracted after alkalinization. A mixture of 0.750 g (70%) of ethyl trichloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate, m.p. 132° C., and 0.350 g (30%) of ethyl 3,5, 6,8-tetrachloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate (m.p. 171° C.) is thereby obtained, and these are separated by chromatography on a silica column (eluant=dichloromethane to which 2% of methanol has been added).

Stage C: preparation of 8-methylamino-3,5,6-trichloro-N-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide

0.330 g (0.1 mmol) of ethyl 3,5,6,8-tetrachloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate, obtained according to the above method, is dissolved at room temperature and with stirring in 20 ml of a concentrated aqueous methylamine solution. After extraction with dichloromethane, 0.296 g (96%) of 8-methylamino-3,5,6-trichloro-N-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide, m.p.262° C. and 0.02 g of ethyl 8-methylamino-3,5,6-trichloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxylate are isolated.

EXAMPLE 8 6-Bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-2-amine

0.42 g of bromine (8 mmol) is added to a solution, cooled with a mixture of ice and salt, of 1.9 g of NaOH (47.5 mmol) in 10 ml of water. After the addition of 1.62 g (6 mmol) of 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide (obtained according to Example 6), the mixture is brought to reflux for half an hour. After the mixture is cooled, the precipitate formed is collected and the mother liquors are evaporated to dryness. These two fractions are treated with 10% strength HCl until the evolution of gas has ceased. The acid solution is then alkalinized. Extraction with dichloromethane gives 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-2-amine.

EXAMPLE 9 6-Bromo-8-methylamino-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine Stage A: preparation of 6,8-dibromo-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

This derivative is obtained according to a technique identical to that of Example 2, stage A, by replacing bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal by 1-bromoacetophenone. 10 g (39.5 mmol) of 3,5-dibromo-2-aminopyrazine yield 8.3 g (Yld=60%) of 6,8-dibromo-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (m.p. 254° C.).

Stage B: preparation of 6-bromo-8-methylamino-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

This derivative is obtained according to a technique identical to that of Example 2, stage B, by replacing morpholine by concentrated aqueous methylamine solution. 6-Bromo-8-methylamino-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine is obtained.

EXAMPLE 10 6-Bromo-2-chloromethyl-8-dimethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine Stage A: preparation of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-dimethylaminopyrazine

This derivative is obtained according to a technique identical to that of Example 3, stage A, by replacing methylamine by a 40% aqueous dimethylamine solution. 5 g (19.8 mmol) of 2-amino-3,5-dibromopyrazine give 3.18 g (Yld=74%) of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-dimethylaminopyrazine (m.p.145° C.).

Stage B: preparation of 6-bromo-2-chloromethyl-8-dimethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine.

1.17 g (9.2 mmol) of 1,3-dichloroacetone is added dropwise to a solution of 2 g (9.2 mmol) of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-dimethylaminopyrazine. After 3 hours under reflux, the alcohol is evaporated off under reduced pressure and the residue taken up with water, alkalinized and extracted with dichloromethane. After purification by chromatography, 6-bromo-2-chloromethyl-8-dimethylaminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine is obtained.

EXAMPLE 11 6-Bromo-8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile Stage A: preparation of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamide

This derivative is obtained according to a technique identical to that described in Example 6, by replacing ethyl 6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazo]1,2-a]prrazine-2-carboxylate by ethyl 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine2-carboxylate.

Starting with 3.5 g (10 mmol) of ester, 2.56 g of amide (Yld=80%) (m.p. 260° C.) are obtained.

Stage B: preparation of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile

A suspension of 1 g (3.1 mmol) of amide obtained in stage A above in 9 ml of phosphorus oxytribromide is brought to reflux for one hour. After dissolution, the excess POBr₃ is driven off by distillation. The residue is carefully poured onto ice. After alkalinization, extraction yields 0.6 g (63%) of 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2,-a]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (m.p. 208° C.).

Stage C: preparation of 6-bromo-8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile.

0.2 g (0.66 mmol) of nitrile is dissolved at room temperature and with stirring (one hour) in 3 ml of morpholine. After evaporation of the excess morpholine under reduced pressure, the residue is taken up with dichloromethane. The evaporated filtered solution yields 0.2 g (Yld=98%) of 6-bromo-8-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-a]-pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (m.p. 265° C.).

The compounds which form the subject of the invention, as well as their pharmaceutically usable salts, possess pharmacological properties justifying their application in human or veterinary therapy. In particular, some derivatives proved to be endowed with greater antispasmodic, uterine relaxant, bronchodilatory and cardiac analeptic (inotropic and positive chronotropic function) activities than those of theophylline (Theo), chosen as reference constituent. It will be noted, in addition, that the compounds which form the subject of the present invention do not possess the neurostimulatory side effects of Theo and that, on the contrary, they prove to be endowed with neurosedative properties.

The demonstration of the pharmacological activities of some of the compounds of the present invention was carried out according to the tests described below. The test compounds are identified by a number corresponding to the structures specified in Table III below.

1. Antispasmodic activity

Fragments of duodenum are removed from male rats (200 g), fasted for 24 hours and killed by decapitation, and are mounted, after being washed, in a thermostatted (37° C.) isolated organ cell and maintained in survival in Tyrode's solution according to Magnus's classical technique.

The spasmogenic agent used is barium chloride (10⁻⁴ M).

In the first instance, the spasmogenic agent is added to the nutrient bath and, as soon as the contraction of the organ reaches its maximum, the relaxant agent is added to the medium. Working in relation to a fixed concentration of barium chloride with variable concentrations of relaxant, the ED₅₀ of the latter, capable of reducing the induced contraction by 50%, is determined.

The results expressed in Table IV below show the ratio ED₅₀ Theo/ED₅₀ product, established on the basis of the mean of the results of 5 to 6 determinations per product (ED50theophylline=8×10⁻⁴ M).

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR13##                           (I)                                                                          M.p.                                        Compound No.                                                                           Y Z R.sub.1                                                                              R.sub.2                                                                          R.sub.3                                                                          R.sub.4      (°C.)                                __________________________________________________________________________     1       H H H     H H H            220                                                                               .                                        2       H H H     H H CH.sub.3     96 .                                        3       H H H     H H C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             98 .                                        4       H H H     H (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                             127                                                                               .                                        5       H H H     Br                                                                               H H            239                                         6       H H H     Br                                                                               H CH.sub.3     143                                                                               .                                        7       H H H     Br                                                                               H C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             82 .                                        8       Br                                                                               H H     H H H            210                                         9       Br                                                                               H H     H H CH.sub.3     162                                                                               .                                        10      Br                                                                               H H     H H C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             99                                          11      Br                                                                               H H     H (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                             191                                                                               .                                        12      H Cl                                                                               H     H H C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             94                                          13      Br                                                                               H H     Br                                                                               H H            246                                                                               .                                        14      Br                                                                               H H     Br                                                                               H CH.sub.3     229                                                                               .                                        15      Br                                                                               H H     Br                                                                               H C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             131                                                                               .                                        16      Br                                                                               H H     Br                                                                               (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                             151                                                                               .                                        17      H H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H H            230                                                                               .                                        18      H H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H CH.sub.3     184                                                                               .                                        19      H H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                             145                                                                               .                                        20      H H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H (CH.sub.2).sub.5                                                                              114                                                                               .                                        21      H H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub. 2                                                            155                                                                               .                                        22      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H H            245                                         23      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H CH.sub.3     234                                         24      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             180                                                                               .                                        25      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                             190                                                                               .                                        26      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           176                                                                               .                                        27      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H s-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           187                                                                               .                                        28      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H (CH.sub.2).sub.5                                                                              134                                                                               .                                        29      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                             140                                                                               .                                        30      Br                                                                               H CO.sub.2 Et                                                                          H H (CH.sub.2).sub.2 OH                                                                         208                                         31      Br                                                                               H CONH.sub.2                                                                           H H CH.sub.3     312                                         32      Br                                                                               H CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 Et                                                                 H H H            181                                                                               .                                        33      Br                                                                               H CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 Et                                                                 H H CH.sub.3     104                                         34      Cl                                                                               Cl                                                                               CONHCH.sub.3                                                                         Cl                                                                               H CH.sub.3     262                                                                               .                                        35      Br                                                                               H CN    H (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                             265                                                                               .                                        36      Br                                                                               H H     H H                                                                                 ##STR14##   164                                                                               .                                        37      Br                                                                               H H     Br                                                                               H                                                                                 ##STR15##   143                                                                               .                                        38      Br                                                                               H H     Br                                                                               (CH.sub.2).sub.5                                                                              72 .                                        39      H H H     H H                                                                                 ##STR16##   pasty                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         Antispasmodic activity                                                         Product    ED.sub.50 Theo/ED.sub.50 product                                    ______________________________________                                          6         32                                                                   8         32                                                                   9         20                                                                  10         40                                                                  12         27                                                                  17         13                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

2. Uterine relaxant activity

Female rats (150-180 g) are killed by decapitation 24 hours after the intraperitoneal administration of stilbestrol (0.1 mg/kg). The uterine horns are removed and fragments mounted in a thermostatted (37° C.) isolated organ cell and maintained in survival in oxygenated De Jalon's solution of composition (mM): NaCl (153.8); KCl (5.6); CaCl₂ (2.16); NaHCO₃ (1.8); dextrose (5.5). One end of the uterine fragment is maintained fixed, while the other is attached to a recording myograph under a tension of the order of 0.5 g. The spontaneous uterine contractions are recorded on a kymograph. The organ is left at rest for 30 minutes and washed three times. The test products are introduced directly into the bath after being dissolved in De Jalon's solution, and the activity measured (ED₅₀) corresponds to the dose capable of reducing the magnitude of the spontaneous contractions by 50%.

The results expressed in Table V below show the ratio ED₅₀ Theo/ED₅₀ product, established on the basis of the mean of the results of 5 to 10 determinations per product. (ED₅₀ theophylline=0.9×10⁻³ M)

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                         Uterine relaxant activity                                                      Compound    ED.sub.50 Theo/ED.sub.50 product                                   ______________________________________                                         6           9                                                                  8           3                                                                  9           5.6                                                                10          7.2                                                                17          2.6                                                                ______________________________________                                    

3. Antibronchospastic activity 3.1. Bronchospasm induced in guinea pigs

Guinea pigs of both sexes weighing between 400 and 600 g are anesthetized with ethyl carbamate (1.20/kg i.p.). After tracheotomy, the animal is placed under artificial respiration at a constant flowrate (Palmer pump 1 m1/100 g×60/min). A take-off at the tracheal cannula enables the volume of air to be gaged at each inhalation by means of a Marey drum. Bronchospasm is induced by intraveneous (jugular) administration of histamine. For each animal, the dose of histamine (8 to 12 μg/kg) inducing an increase in the recording trace equal to double its initial value is determined. The dose adopted should provide three identical responses at intervals of 10 minutes.

The test product is administered intraveneously and then, 30 seconds later, histamine is administered again. The measured ED₅₀ represents the dose which reduces the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction by 50%. Table VI below shows the ratio ED₅₀ Theo/ED₅₀ product, established on the basis of the mean of the results of 5 to 8 determinations per product (ED₅₀ Theo=4.3×10⁻⁵ M/kg).

    ______________________________________                                         Pro- ED.sub.50 Theo ED.sub.50                                                                      Pro-                                                       duct product        duct   ED.sub.50 Theo ED.sub.50 product                    ______________________________________                                          5   2              23     1                                                    6   2              24     1                                                    8   4              25     <1                                                   9     5.4          26     <1                                                  10   2              27     <1                                                  11   1              28     <1                                                  13     3.5          29     1                                                   14     1.9          30     <1                                                  15     1.6          31     1                                                   16   1              32       1.6                                               17     1.1          33     1                                                   18   1              34       1.2                                               19   <1             35     <1                                                  20   1              36     <1                                                  21   <1             37       1.4                                               22     1.5          38       1.1                                               ______________________________________                                    

3.2. Isolated guinea pig trachea

Guinea pigs of both sexes weighing on average 400 to 600 g are sacrificed, and the tracheas are removed and placed at 37° C. in an oxygenated environment (95% O₂ -5% CO₂) in Krebs fluid of the following composition (mM): NaCl (116), MgSO₄ (1.2), KCl (3.7), CaCl₂ (2.6), KH₂ PO₄ (2.2), NaHCO₃ (24.9), glucose (10). The tracheal segments are then mounted horizontally between two hooks, one of which is fixed to the base of the isolated organ cell and the other is attached to a myograph under a tension of 0.5 g. The organ is left at rest for one hour and is subjected to four washes. The contraction-inducing reagent (carbachol) is added at a concentration (10⁻⁴ M) greater than the concentration giving the maximum effect. After stabilization of the contractional effect, gradually increasing accumulative amounts of the test products are added to the cell. The bronchodilatory effect is measured as the percentage inhibition of the maximal contraction and EC₅₀ represents the concentration inhibiting this concentration by 50%.

Table VII below shows the ratio EC50 theophylline/EC₅₀ product, established on the basis of the mean of the results of 5 to 6 determinations by product (EC₅₀ Theo=10⁻³ M).

                  TABLE VII                                                        ______________________________________                                         Anti-contractional activity (trachea)                                          Pro- EC.sub.50 Theo/EC.sub.50                                                                      Pro-                                                       duct product        duct   EC.sub.50 Theo/EC.sub.50 product                    ______________________________________                                         1    1.5            7      5                                                   2    <1             8      11.3                                                3    1              9      8.3                                                 4    <1             10     5                                                   5    11             11     <1                                                  6    12.5           39     <1                                                  ______________________________________                                    

4. Cardiac activity (inotropic and chronotropic function)

Guinea pigs of both sexes weighing between 300 and 500 g are killed by decapitation. The hearts are rapidly removed and placed in an oxygenated environment (95% O₂ -5% CO₂) in Chenoweth-Koelle's solution of the following composition (mM): NaCl (120), KCl (5.63), CaCl₂ (2.0), dextrose (9.7), MgCl₂ (2.0), NaHCO₃ (26.0). The right and left atria are then separated from the heart and mounted in an isolated organ cell. The right atrium beats spontaneously and the left atrium is electrically stimulated. The organs under a tension of 1 g are left at rest for two hours and washed every fifteen minutes.

The products are added directly to the nutrient bath. The right atrium is used for measuring the modifications of rate (chronotropic function) whereas the left atrium indicates the modifications brought about in the contractile force (inotropic function).

For the inotropic function, the concentration capable of producing an increase in magnitude of 0.5 g with respect to the basic contraction is measured.

For the chronotropic function, the concentration capable of producing a 20% increase in the basic value of the rate is determined.

Table VIII below shows the ratio of activity between theophylline and Product for these two parameters ED Theo/ED Product. ##EQU1##

                  TABLE VIII                                                       ______________________________________                                         Cardiac activity                                                               Product   Inotropic function                                                                          Chronotropic function                                   ______________________________________                                         6         5            6                                                       8         10           2                                                       9         50           25                                                      10        4            15                                                      17        <1           <1                                                      ______________________________________                                    

5. Motor activity

The measurement of the neurosedative effect is based on the test of activity measurements in mice. Male mice weighing on average 25 to 30 g receive 55 and 166 pmol/kg of the test products intraperitoneally, and the control animals receive the corresponding doses of the vehicle. Five minutes after the administration, the animals are placed in activity-measuring cages, which record their movements digitally by means of the interruption of beams of light. The results are recorded in Table IX and expressed as the percentage variation (increase or decrease ) in activity compared with the controls during a period of 50 minutes following the administration.

                  TABLE IX                                                         ______________________________________                                         spontaneous activity - % variation                                             compared with the controls.                                                    PRODUCT       55 μmol/kg                                                                            166 μmol/kg                                         ______________________________________                                          6            ↓ 25                                                                              ↓ 57                                             8            ↓ 53                                                                              ↓ 83                                             9            ↓ 74                                                                              ↓ 83                                            10            ↓ 13                                                                              ↓ 73                                            17            ↑ 28                                                                               ↓ 17                                            23            ↓ 43                                                                              ↓ 56                                            Theophylline  ↑ 130                                                                              ↑ 170                                            ______________________________________                                    

Naturally, the results of the trials presented above have been given only by way of illustration of the pharmacological properties which may be possessed by the compounds of the invention. The latter may hence be combined with any suitable excipient customarily used in human or veterinary therapy for the purpose of preparing and presenting pharmaceutical compositions which may be administered in the field of application of antispasmodics, uterine relaxants, bronchodilators, cardiac analeptics and neuro-sedatives. Thus, these compositions may take conventional pharmaceutical or modified-release forms, intended for oral or parenteral administration or administration via the mucosal and cutaneous linings, and containing the desired dose of active agent.

Naturally, the dosage and the methods of administration will, for each case, be left to the judgment and decision of the treating practitioner.

It is self-evident that the present invention has been described only in purely explanatory fashion and without any implied limitation, and that any expedient modification may be applied thereto without departing from the scope thereof. 

We claim:
 1. An 8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine compound corresponding to formula (I) or a salt which is compatible with pharmaceutical application, which corresponds to the formula: ##STR17## in which formula: . Y and Z independently denote:a) a hydrogen atom, b) F, Cl, Br or I, c) CO₂ H, d) CN, e) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical, f) a C₁ -C₅ alkoxy radical, g) CF₃ ##STR18## with R₃ and R₄ as defined below; . R₁ and R₂, when they are independent, denote, a) a hydrogen atom, b) F, Cl, Br or I, c) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical, d) a radical --(CH₂)_(n) --CO₂ R₅, with R₅ denoting a C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical and n being from 0 to 4, ##STR19## with R₆ and R₇ independently denoting a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical or an aryl radical, f) CN, ##STR20## h) NH₂, i) CH₂ Cl, j) CH₂ OH, k) CF₃, ##STR21## m) --NO₂, n) --NO, o) a C₃ -C₆ cycloalkyl radical, p) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkylthio radical; R₁ and R₂, when they are linked to one another, denote --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --, R₃ and R₄ independently denote:a) a hydrogen atom b) a linear or branched C₁ -C₅ alkyl radical, capable of bearing one or more halogen atoms or a hydroxy, N(C₁ -C₄ alkyl)2, carbamoyl or C₁ -C₄ alkoxy radical, either a C₃ -C₆ cycloalkyl radical or a phenyl radical, c) a furfuryl radical, R₃ and R₄, linked to one another denote --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ or --CH₂ --CH₂ --X--CH₂ --CH₂ -- in which X denotes O or S.
 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to the formula (I) in which R₃ ═H, R₄ ═H or a methyl or ethyl radical, R₁ ═H or an ethyl carboxylate group, Y and Z denote either H or Br and R₂ denotes Br or H.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to the formula (I) in which R3═H, R₄ ═CH₃ or C₂ H₅, Y═H, Z═H, R₂ ═Br and R₁ ═H, namely, a compound of one of the formula: ##STR22## having, respectively, a melting point of 143° C. and 82° C.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to the formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom and R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ and Z denote hydrogen atoms, namely the compound of the formula ##STR23## having a melting point of 210° C.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which R₃ ═H, R₄ ═CH₃ or C₂ H₅, Y═Br, Z═H, R₂ ═H, and R₁ ═H, namely: a compound of one of the formulae: ##STR24## having, respectively, a melting point of 162° C. and 99° C.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which R₃ ═H, R₄ ═H, Y═Br, Z═H, R₂ ═Br and R₁ ═H, namely the compound of the formula: ##STR25## having a melting point of 246° C.
 7. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ denote hydrogen atoms, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR26## having a melting point of 220° C.
 8. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z, R₁, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms and R₄ denotes a methyl or ethyl radical, namely: a compound of one of the formulae: ##STR27## having, respectively, a melting point of 96° C. and 98° C.
 9. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z, R₁ and R₂ denote hydrogen atoms and R₃ and R₄ are linked to one another to denote a --(CH₂)₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ -- radical, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR28## having a melting point of 127° C.
 10. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z, R₁, R₃ and R₄ denote hydrogen atoms and R₂ denotes a bromine atom, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR29## having a melting point of 239° C.
 11. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z, R₁ and R₂ denote hydrogen atoms, and R₃ and R₄ are linked to one another to denote a --(CH₂)₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ -- radical, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR30## having a melting point of 191° C.
 12. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, R₁, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms, Z denotes a chlorine atom and R₄ denotes a C₂ H₅ radical, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR31## having a melting point of 94° C.
 13. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y and R₂ denote bromine atoms, Z, R₁ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms, and R₄ denotes a methyl or ethyl radical, namely: a compound of one of the formulae: ##STR32## having, respectively, a melting point of 229° C. and 131° C.
 14. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y and R₂ denote bromine atoms, Z and R₁ denote hydrogen atoms and R₃ and R₄ are linked to one another to denote a --(CH₂)₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ -- radical, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR33## having a melting point of 151° C.
 15. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms and R₄ is hydrogen or a --CH₃ radical or a --C₃ H₇ radical, and R₁ denotes a --CO₂ C₂ H₅ group, namely: a compound one of the formulae: ##STR34## having, respectively, a melting point of 230° C., 184° C. and 145° C.
 16. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z and R₂ denote hydrogen atoms, R₁ denotes --CO₂ C₂ H₅, and R₃ and R₄ are linked to one another to denote either a --(CH₂)₅ -- radical or a --(CH₂)₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ -- radical, namely: a compound, respectively, of one of the formulae: ##STR35## having, respectively, a melting point of 114° C. and 155° C.
 17. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I), in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z, R₃ and R₂ denote hydrogen atoms, R₁ denotes --CO₂ C₂ H₅, and R₄ denotes either a hydrogen atom or one of the radicals --CH₃, --C₂ H₅, --C₃ H₇, n--C₄ H₉, s--C₄ H₉, namely: the compounds, respectively, of formula: ##STR36## having, respectively, a melting point of 245° C., 234° C., 180° C., 190° C., 176° C. and 187° C.
 18. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z and R₂ denote hydrogen atoms, R₁ denotes a --CO₂ C₂ H₅ group and R₃, and R₄ are linked to one another to denote either a --(CH₂)₅ -radical, or a --(CH₂)₂ --O--(CH₂)₂ -radical, namely: the compounds, respectively, of the formulae: ##STR37## having, respectively, a melting point of 134° C. and 140° C.
 19. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms, R₄ denotes a --(CH₂)₂ OH radical, and R₁ denotes a --CO₂ C₂ ₅ group, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR38## having a melting point of 208° C.
 20. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms, R₄ denotes a --CH₃ radical and R₁ denotes a --CONH₂ group, namely the compound of the formula: ##STR39## having a melting point of 312° C.
 21. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms, R₁ denotes --CH₂ CO₂ C₂ H₅, and R₄ denotes either hydrogen or a methyl radical, namely: the compounds, respectively, of the formulae: ##STR40## having, respectively, a melting point of 181° C. and 104° C.
 22. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y, Z and R₂ denote chlorine atoms, R₃ denotes hydrogen, R₄ denotes a --CH₃ radical, and R₁ denotes a CONHCH₃ group, namely: the compound of the formulae: ##STR41## having a melting point of 262° C.
 23. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z and R₂ denote hydrogen atoms, R₁ denotes a --CN radical, and R₃ and R₄ are linked to one another to denote a --(CH₂)₂ --O-- (CH₂)₂ -radical, namely: the compound of the formula: ##STR42## having a melting point of 265° C.
 24. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y denotes a bromine atom, Z, R₁, and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms, R₂ denotes either a hydrogen atom or a bromine atom and R₄ denotes a ##STR43## namely: the compounds, respectively, of the formulae: ##STR44## having, respectively, a melting point of 164° C. and 143° C.
 25. A compound as claimed in claim 1, which corresponds to formula (I) in which Y and R₂ denote bromine atoms, Z and R₁ denote hydrogen atoms, and R₃ and R₄ are linked to one another to denote a (CH₂)₅ -group, namely: the compound of the formulae: ##STR45## having a melting point of 72° C.
 26. A compound as claimed in claim 1, in which Y, Z, R₁, R₂ and R₃ denote hydrogen atoms and R₄ denotes a ##STR46## namely: the compound of the formulae: ##STR47## which compound is pasty.
 27. A salt of a compound as claimed in claim 1, which results from the neutralization of a basic compound corresponding to formula (I) with a pharmaceutically acceptable.
 28. A process of administering an antispasmodic, and uterine relaxant, a bronchodilator, a cardiac analeptic and/or composition, having an effective amount of active ingredient, to a human or other host in need of such therapy, wherein the active ingredient is a compound as claimed in claim 1 or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 29. A pharmaceutical antispasmodic, uterine, relaxant, bronchodilator, cardiac analeptic and/or sedative composition having an effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 1 or of a pharmacologically-acceptable salt thereof in combination with pharmacologically-acceptable excipient.
 30. A salt of claim 27 wherein the pharmaceutically-acceptable acid is a halogen hydracid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, a carboxylic acid, isethionic acid or methanesulfonic acid. 